October 02, 2016
Handout Art/Philadelphia Orchestra
Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Music Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
A strike between The Philadelphia Orchestra and its unionized musicians has come to an end thanks to the tentative agreement of a new bargaining contract, the orchestra announced Sunday.
Early Sunday, the executive and human resources committees of the orchestra's board of directors voted unanimously on a new contract to recommend to the musicians who later voted to ratify the agreement, according to a news release.
“We are grateful that we reached this agreement with the musicians and apologize for the effect that the last few days have had on our donors, patrons and community,” said Rich Worley, the orchestra's board chair in a statement. “We are looking forward to working together constructively toward a strong future.”
Patricia O'Kelly, a spokesperson with the orchestra, could not confirm the vote count on the new contract, though Philly.com reported that it was ratified 73-11.
O'Kelly said that orchestra's regular events will resume as scheduled.
Part of the agreement includes a 2 percent salary increase after one year, 2.5 percent in two years and 3 percent in three years, which means the musicians' base pay would reach $137,000.
Fans can also look forward to more pop-up and Sunday concerts.
The announcement comes about two days since the musicians, who belong to the Philadelphia Musicians Union, Local, 77 of the American Federation of Musicians, went on strike Friday – the opening night of their gala. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra went on strike the same day.
Fans sat in the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts' Verizon Hall without a clue as they waited for the performance to begin.
“We can no longer remain silent while we continue in a downward spiral,” the musicians said in a statement obtained by the New York Times.
The orchestra also filed for bankruptcy about five years ago. Saturday and Sunday performances had been cancelled while negotiations continued over the weekend.
